Here’s something that a lot of us don’t understand: “Sacrificial Atonement”—why this was necessary in the Old Covenant. If God is good, that would require Him to be just. But because He is also a God of love, He has to allow people the choice through their own will. Because we have a sinful nature, we all naturally begin by choosing how we live based on what we “feel” according to our flesh. God’s grace and mercy are extended toward us so that we may live, come into the knowledge of Him, and then choose to repent and receive God’s ultimate sacrifice and atonement for our sins through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

These ideas need to be dealt with by everybody individually because God created us as His creatures with the ability to choose and rationally make decisions that shape the lives we live. But the truth is, it is appointed for man to die once, and then comes the judgment.

We have a living soul and spirit housed in our body. God has blessed us with a measure of time to exist in the flesh and bring Him glory through our life.

Sacrificial atonement is something many of us have heard about without stopping to consider why it was necessary. Why were sacrifices part of the Old Covenant? If God is good and loving, why does sin require judgment when God knows we all sin and fall short of His glory?

These questions reach beyond ancient religious practices. They concern our relationship with God, our responsibility for the choices we make, and what we do with the time He gives us.

Why sacrifice was necessary

Atonement concerns dealing with sin so that people can be reconciled to God. Under the Old Covenant, God appointed sacrifices as part of Israel’s approach to Him. Leviticus 17:11 connects blood with life and identifies it as God’s provision for atonement.

Sacrifice confronted people with the seriousness of sin. Approaching a holy God could not be reduced to following our feelings or declaring ourselves good enough.

Yet those sacrifices were not the final answer. Hebrews 10:1–4 describes their limitations, and Hebrews 10:10 points to Jesus’ offering of Himself once for all. The sacrifices pointed forward to the fulfillment found in Christ.

Supporting scriptures: Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 10:1–10.

God is both just and loving

We sometimes want God’s goodness to mean that He overlooks everything. But what would goodness mean if evil never mattered? We expect justice when someone harms us. We must also consider our own accountability before God.

Romans 3:23–26 brings these truths together: humanity has sinned, redemption comes through Christ, and God remains righteous as He justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

The cross reveals how seriously God takes sin and how deeply He loves those who need forgiveness. The Christian message calls us to face our need honestly and receive the mercy God provides.

Supporting scripture: Romans 3:23–26.

Our choices matter and we need grace

God addresses us as responsible people. We make decisions, respond to truth, and must answer for how we live. Yet our desires are not always trustworthy guides. Something can feel right to us while leading us away from God.

Recognizing this should make us humble. We need more than determination to improve ourselves. We need God’s grace, forgiveness, and the work of His Spirit in our lives.

Repentance means turning toward God and away from sin. Faith receives Christ rather than treating personal effort as the price of salvation. His death, burial, and resurrection stand at the center of the gospel.

Supporting scriptures: Ephesians 2:1–10; Acts 17:30–31; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4.

God’s patience calls us to respond

Second Peter 3:9 connects God’s patience with His desire for repentance. That gives us reason for gratitude, but also reason to take today seriously.

Every day offers opportunities to listen, reconsider, seek forgiveness, and obey. We cannot assume that tomorrow will provide every opportunity we neglect today.

No one else can repent on our behalf. A family’s faith, a church connection, or familiarity with Scripture cannot replace our own response to God.

Supporting scripture: 2 Peter 3:9.

Our time on earth is a stewardship

We are more than the bodies other people can see. Our earthly lives carry eternal significance. The body, abilities, relationships, and opportunities entrusted to us deserve thoughtful stewardship.

Hebrews 9:27 states:

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” — NKJV

That truth should move us to examine our lives. What are we doing with our time? What shapes our decisions? Are we willing to surrender our desires to God?

For those who belong to Christ, honoring God includes how we use our bodies. Our gifts also become opportunities to serve others and reflect His goodness.

Supporting scriptures: Hebrews 9:27; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 1 Peter 4:10–11.

A nugget for the journey: God has given us time to respond to His grace. Let us receive Christ, turn toward Him, and use the life we have been given to bring Him glory.

All linked supporting passages use the New King James Version. Scripture quotation from the NKJV, © 1982 Thomas Nelson.

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